Here is yet another SS build thread but with a twist, ... I will be modifying the design some in the aesthetics department and some mechanical design as well. Nothing wrong with the design, it is a well thought out and proven design by time. Being in the prototype business, as well as having a building full of industrial designers, with automotive design under their belt as well as myself ... why not enlist their help in the design and see what we come up with, ... who knows, ... maybe she's fine as it designed already?

Ok, ... I picked up my plans and screw set along with a couple of books from Glen-L on Monday and the wood from Weber Plywood today. I think I may have bought to much Mahogany, ... but hey, ... I'm sure I will make a mistake somewhere in the build.

I picked up 50 BF all long wide boards, (6) in total, all milled to .750"

I cut the Running Chines first, ... Heck I figured once the saw dust starts flying, ... I'm officially building a SS.

I transferred the pattern to the wood by using a sharpened 16D nail. I then taped the plans down with 3M's blue painters tape, ... the delicate version. This lets me peel the tape off the plans without destroying them. Once the plan is taped down on the wood, ... I use the mail and lightly punch through the plans and into the wood about every 2" and then connect the dots with a pencil. Once that's done I I cut it out on the band saw. After that, I face off the the part on a 12" disc sander for the out side curve and a oscillating drum sander on the inside curves just to the outside of the line, then finish up with a sanding block.

Once I have the the first one 98% to were I want it, ... I use that piece to trace out the second one and cut that one out on the band saw as well. To get them a matching pair, ... I used double sided tape and put the first on on top of the second one and sand them both to the line using the same technique as previously stated.

I started cutting the .750" frame work starting with #2 and #0. Since these were smaller parts, ... I used tracing paper and sprayed just a real quick fine mist of 3M77 and tacked the pattern down to the wood. I cut out the first piece, double side taped it to my intended 2nd piece and put the straight edges on the granite inspection table to get them perfectly even on the flat side. I then put the whole shebang on the band saw and trimmed it close to the line. After that, I hit them with the disc sander and cut the notch for the batten. You have to cut it after the piece is arched before you sand it on the disc sander. Nothing like trying to sand an arched surface with a notch in the middle, ...

Lunch is over, ... back to the paying jobs, ... I'll do a little more before I drive home from work today.

Well the Haas and the Fedal were at my last place, ... However, ... I do have a mini CNC that I made from a Harbor Fright Mini Mill, ... unfortunately, ... it's buried under all the stuff on the work bench in my garage with all my other surplus tools. You can see the top motor on the bench in the right corner, ... it's red. Also on that bench is a CNC Mini Lathe next to the mini drill press. Under the drill press, ... you can see my 1972 Mercruiser 3.0 140 HP. I also have the transom plate which I had powder coated and the outdrive on a stand under a blue tarp. It all for sale, ... in case anyone wanted to build an inboard boat. She's as clean as a brand new whistle, ...